Thanks for the links. Interesting article. Nica’s book is interesting and funny — a good read for anyone, believer or unbeliever.

Jonas

Nice, Sounds like another to add to my collection.

Unfortunately, I just returned from Chicago. So — just missed her..

Aj

the opposite of faith isn’t doubt, it’s certainty

The opposite of faith is all about doubt, God Girl, it’s for people who aren’t certain. Faith is belief without evidence. The opposite is belief based on evidence, we use the scientific method, and we do so because we are sceptics, we are doubters.

…And Jesus didn’t go around telling many people they were wrong except for the arrogant bloviators with big, bellicose voices.

Is there an alternate Bible? I wish Jesus was more like Jesus.

I do believe in like a core within us, and I think that that core that I call humanity…

Nica! Noooooooo! Do not be tempted by the dark side…

Maria

Nina seems like a great person. I will definitely read her book. It’s crazy that both she and Cathleen Falsani got hate mail like that. I really don’t understand why certain people get so mad when people of differing views instead of screaming at each other actually try to build bridges with one another. If everyone did that the world would be a much better place (the bridges part, not the hate part!)

Donna

I do believe in like a core within us, and I think that that core that I call humanity…

Nica! Noooooooo! Do not be tempted by the dark side…

How is this the “dark” side? I’ve heard other non-believers say this as well. She can believe whatever she wishes as long as she’s tolerant of others. Why does this bother you so much that she’s getting along with someone of differing beliefs?

Aj

How is this the “dark” side? I’ve heard other non-believers say this as well. She can believe whatever she wishes as long as she’s tolerant of others. Why does this bother you so much that she’s getting along with someone of differing beliefs?

Religious moderates use ambiguous terms like that. You have to qualify them, otherwise you’re talking nonsense, you might aswell say “we all have like a goblin inside us and that I call humanity”. The darkside are the enemies of reason. Atheism is not enough, Theism is not the problem, it’s a form of the problem.

Where did I say it bothered me that she was “getting along” with anyone? Where did I say should couldn’t believe whatever she wanted?

Tolerance is overrated as a principle and as a term. If that’s the only restriction given to faith then we would be, and are, in trouble. It means nothing unless we are in agreement of what is acceptable.